Choosing the right hunting ammunition is essential for hunting safely, legally and ethically. Romanian hunting regulations establish minimum ammunition requirements depending on the species being hunted, while practical hunting experience may call for ammunition above those legal minimums.
This guide to hunting ammunition in Romania is divided into two main sections: shotgun ammunition for smoothbore shotguns, including the legal minimum and recommended shot diameter for each species, and rifle ammunition, covering the minimum legal requirements for the main categories of game.
Hunters visiting Romania should remember that ammunition regulations, hunting seasons and other legal provisions can change. The information below should therefore be used as a practical guide, while the legislation in force at the time of the hunt remains authoritative.
Shotgun Ammunition – Smoothbore Shotguns
For each species, there are two figures that should not be confused:
Legal minimum – the minimum shot diameter required by Romanian law under Order No. 395/2018, Annex 1. Using shot below this diameter is illegal.
Recommended diameter – the shot diameter generally recommended by hunting literature and practical field experience for an ethical and effective shot. The recommended diameter should never fall below the legal minimum.
Small Mammals
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskrat | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | In practice, 3.5 mm is preferable to drop the animal on the spot; if wounded, it may enter the water. |
| Raccoon Dog | 3.5 mm | 3.5–4.5 mm | No. 2–2/0 and larger shot | — |
| European Polecat | 2.5 mm | 2.5–3.0 mm | No. 7–5 | — |
| Stoat / Ermine | 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 | — |
| European Hare | 3.5 mm | 3.5–4.5 mm | No. 2–2/0 and larger shot | 3.5 mm at the beginning of the season; up to 4.5 mm during severe winter conditions when the hare has a heavy winter coat. |
| European Pine Marten | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm | No. 2 | — |
| Stone Marten | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm | No. 2 | — |
| Marmot | 3.5 mm | 3.5–4.0 mm | No. 2–0 | May also be hunted with a rifle under Annex 2. |
| Least Weasel | 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 | — |
| Golden Jackal | 3.5 mm | 4.0–5.0 mm | No. 2/0 and larger shot | A very tough animal; many hunters prefer a rifle. When using shot, at least 4.0 mm is recommended. |
| European Badger | 3.5 mm | 3.5–4.0 mm | No. 2–0 | May also be hunted with a rifle. |
| Red Fox | 3.5 mm | 4.0–4.5 mm | No. 2/0 and larger shot | A tough animal; practical experience suggests at least 4.0 mm. |
Ducks and Geese
Waterfowl ammunition should be chosen carefully because shooting distances can vary considerably depending on weather, decoy placement, flight height and hunting conditions.
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size | Notes |
| Mallard | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | 3.5 mm in freezing weather and open country. |
| Eurasian Teal | 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 | Small duck. |
| Eurasian Wigeon | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | — |
| Common Pochard | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | Diving duck. |
| Gadwall | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | — |
| Common Goldeneye | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | Diving duck. |
| Northern Shoveler | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | — |
| Northern Pintail | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 | — |
| Garganey | 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 | Small duck. |
| Greylag Goose | 3.0 mm | 3.5–4.5 mm | No. 2–2/0 and larger shot | 37–40 g load; choice depends considerably on shooting distance and flight height. |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | 3.0 mm | 3.0–4.5 mm | No. 4–2/0 and larger shot | Larger shot and a heavy 37–40 g load are recommended. |
Snipe, Woodcock and Coot
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size |
| Common Snipe | 1.7 mm | 2.0 mm | No. 9 |
| Eurasian Woodcock | 2.0 mm | 2.0–2.5 mm | No. 9–7 |
| Eurasian Coot | 2.5 mm | 2.5–3.0 mm | No. 7–5 |
Thrushes and Fieldfare
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size |
| Fieldfare | 1.7 mm | 2.0 mm | No. 9 |
| Mistle Thrush | 1.7 mm | 2.0 mm | No. 9 |
| Song Thrush | 1.7 mm | 2.0 mm | No. 9 |
| Redwing | 1.7 mm | 2.0 mm | No. 9 |
Pigeons and Doves
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size | Notes |
| Common Wood Pigeon | 2.5 mm | 2.5–3.5 mm | No. 7–2 | Normally no more than 3.0 mm; 3.5 mm may be used for longer shots. |
| Stock Dove | 2.0 mm | 2.5–3.0 mm | No. 7–5 | — |
| European Turtle Dove | 2.0 mm | 2.0–2.5 mm | No. 9–7 | — |
| Eurasian Collared Dove | 2.0 mm | 2.0–2.5 mm | No. 9–7 | — |
Gamebirds
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size |
| Common Pheasant | 2.5 mm | 3.0–3.5 mm | No. 4–2 |
| Grey Partridge | 2.0 mm | 2.2–2.5 mm | No. 8½–7 |
| Hazel Grouse | 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 |
Corvids
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size |
| Hooded Crow | 2.5 mm | 2.5–3.0 mm | No. 7–5 |
| Rook | 2.5 mm | 2.5–3.0 mm | No. 7–5 |
| Eurasian Magpie | 2.0 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 |
| Eurasian Jay | 2.0 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 |
| Western Jackdaw | 2.0 mm | 2.5 mm | No. 7 |
Farmland Birds
| Species | Legal Minimum | Recommended | Approx. Shot Size |
| Eurasian Skylark | 1.7 mm | 1.7–2.0 mm | No. 11–10 |
| Common Starling | 1.7 mm | 2.0 mm | No. 9 |
| Common Quail | 1.7 mm | 1.7–2.0 mm | No. 11–10 |
Shot Size – Diameter Conversion
Romanian law and this guide use shot diameter in millimetres, while shotgun ammunition sold in Romania is commonly labelled according to shot number.
The table below shows the scale commonly used on the Romanian market.
| Shot Size | Diameter (mm) |
| 2/0 | 4.1 |
| 0 | 3.9 |
| 1 | 3.7 |
| 2 | 3.5 |
| 3 | 3.3 |
| 4 | 3.1 |
| 5 | 2.9 |
| 5½ | 2.8 |
| 6 | 2.7 |
| 7 | 2.5 |
| 8 | 2.3 |
| 8½ | 2.2 |
| 9 | 2.1 |
| 10 | 1.9 |
| 11 | 1.7 |
Above approximately 4.1 mm, Romanian manufacturers may use a separate classification for large shot or pellets, and the designation can vary between manufacturers.
How to Choose Within the Recommended Range
Size and toughness of the game: Small birds generally call for 1.7–2.5 mm shot. Medium-sized game such as pheasant, hare and fox generally requires approximately 2.9–3.5 mm or larger, while geese and tough winter game may require shot larger than 3.5 mm.
Season and temperature: Severe winter conditions, thicker fur and dense plumage favour the upper end of the recommended range. For example, hare may move from 3.5 mm early in the season toward 4.5 mm in severe winter conditions.
Distance and choke: Longer shots require larger pellets that retain more energy, balanced with an appropriately tighter choke.
Load weight: Payload is just as important as pellet diameter. Using the same shot size in a heavier load — for example, 37–40 g for geese — puts more pellets into the pattern and can increase effective range.
Ethics: The objective is sufficient penetration and an effective pattern for a clean kill without unnecessarily damaging the game. This is why the recommendations are expressed as ranges rather than as a single shot size.
Rifle Ammunition for Hunting in Romania
Large game is not hunted with shot. For wild boar and roe deer, Romanian legislation also permits a single projectile — a slug — from a smoothbore shotgun under the applicable conditions, while the other large-game species listed below require a rifled hunting rifle.
For international hunters coming to Romania, a rifle is by far the normal choice for roe deer, red stag, chamois and other large game.
Romanian law establishes four minimum requirements according to the category of game:
- minimum bullet diameter;
- minimum cartridge-case length;
- minimum bullet weight;
- minimum energy at 100 metres.
Species That May Not Be Hunted with Shot
| Species | Legal Ammunition |
| Wild Boar | Shot is prohibited. Only a single projectile (slug) may be used in a smoothbore shotgun, or ammunition meeting the requirements for a rifled hunting rifle. |
| Roe Deer | Shot is prohibited. A single projectile (slug) may be used in a smoothbore shotgun, or a rifled hunting rifle meeting the legal requirements. For practical hunting purposes, a rifle is recommended. |
| Red Deer / Red Stag | Rifled hunting rifle only. |
| Fallow Deer | Rifled hunting rifle only. |
| Chamois | Rifled hunting rifle only. |
| Mouflon | Rifled hunting rifle only. |
Legal Minimums by Game Category
The table below reproduces the legal categories established by Order No. 395/2018, Annex 2, as replaced by Order No. 1519/2024.
A rifle cartridge is legal for a particular species only if it satisfies all four minimum requirements.
| Game Species | Min. Bullet Diameter (mm) | Min. Case Length (mm) | Min. Bullet Weight (g) | Min. Energy at 100 m (J) |
| Golden jackal, badger, fox, marmot, capercaillie and wildcat* | 4.4 | 33 | 1.3 | 400 |
| Roe deer, wolf, beaver, lynx* and otter*** | 5.6 | 39 | 3.5 | 800 |
| Chamois and mouflon | 6.0 | 50 | 6 | 2,000 |
| Fallow deer and wild boar | 6.5 | 39 | 8 | 1,500 |
| Red deer | 7.0 | 51 | 10 | 2,700 |
| Brown bear* | 7.0 | 57 | 12 | 2,700 |
* Only where harvesting is authorised under the applicable Romanian legislation or a legally issued derogation or authorisation.
Wild boar and roe deer may also be hunted with a single projectile (slug) from a smoothbore shotgun under the applicable rules.
Practical Rifle Choices for Hunting in Romania
Meeting the legal minimum does not necessarily mean that a cartridge is the best practical choice for a particular hunt.
For roe deer hunting in Romania, moderate, accurate deer cartridges are generally preferred because shot placement and controlled bullet performance are more important than excessive power.
For chamois hunting in Romania, a flat-shooting and accurate rifle is particularly useful because hunting takes place in mountainous terrain and shots can sometimes be taken at longer distances.
For red stag hunting in Romania, hunters should choose a cartridge capable of delivering sufficient energy and penetration on a large-bodied stag while remaining comfortable enough to shoot accurately.
For wild boar, particularly during driven hunts, many experienced European hunters prefer heavier bullets and calibres that provide reliable penetration on large, moving animals.
For brown bear hunting in Romania, the legal minimum should be regarded as exactly that — a minimum. Appropriate bullet construction, penetration and reliable shot placement are particularly important when hunting such a large and powerful animal.
Legal References and Disclaimer
The legal minimum shot diameters are established by Romanian Ministry Order No. 395/2018, Annex 1, published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, No. 396 of 9 May 2018. Row 1 was subsequently amended by Order No. 1850/2020, published in Official Gazette No. 959 of 19 October 2020.
The legal minimum requirements for rifle ammunition are contained in Annex 2, as replaced by Order No. 1519/2024, published in Official Gazette No. 671 of 12 July 2024.
The recommended ammunition values in this guide are indicative and are based on hunting literature, published guides and practical field experience. They do not replace Romanian hunting legislation.
Always check the legislation currently in force before selecting ammunition for a hunt in Romania.
Planning a Hunting Trip to Romania?
Romania offers a remarkably diverse range of European hunting opportunities, from roe buck and red stag in forests and agricultural areas to Carpathian chamois, driven wild boar, brown bear and winter waterfowl hunting.
Romania Hunting Outfitters can advise visiting hunters on the most suitable firearm and ammunition for the species being hunted, as well as hunting areas, trophy expectations, firearm import procedures and rifle rental options in Romania.
If you are planning a hunting trip to Romania, contact us and we will help you choose the right hunt, area and equipment for your trip.
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